A Deeper Meaning of David vs. Goliath

Okay so I need to tell you about something I just recently discovered about David and Goliath.

And I'm kind of annoyed because I've read and heard this story many times.

I've heard sermons on it. It’s been used as a metaphor. "Be brave like David." "Faith conquers giants." All that.

Even “Jesus defeating sin” if you look for it.

But I completely missed what the original audience would have understood immediately.

We've turned this into a motivational speech. Underdog beats the odds. Little guy with big faith. And sure, those themes are there.

But there's something else happening that we just blow right past.

The serpent is back.

Stay with me here.

The text tells us Goliath is wearing scale armor. And when you're an ancient Israelite hearing this story, the moment someone says "scales," your mind goes to one place: Genesis.

There was only one other famous figure covered in scales in Israel's story. The serpent.

This isn't accidental. The author is being deliberate. There's another serpent in the land of Israel. An agent of chaos standing between God's people and their freedom.

(Now, the serpent in the Garden wasn’t a literal snake, but the serpent imagery remains.)

And if Goliath is a serpent figure... then who defeats serpents?

Adams do.

That was Adam's original job in Eden. Guard the garden. Crush the serpent's head. Protect what God had given him.

He failed.

And Israel had been waiting ever since for someone to finish what Adam started. For centuries, they're looking for the one who would actually do what Adam was supposed to do.

Then here comes David. A shepherd. Just like Adam was meant to be a shepherd over creation.

Do you see it? David isn't just some random kid. He's being presented as the new Adam. The one who finally does the job (for now…)

But here's where it gets really interesting...

We think David is the underdog. He's not.

This is what I think we've gotten so wrong. We see a boy with a sling versus a trained warrior in full armor and we think "wow, such faith, so brave, impossible odds."

Except that's not what's actually happening… If you look deeper.

Ancient slingers weren't kids with toys. They were elite soldiers. Specialized units. Armies had entire divisions of slingers because they were devastatingly effective at what they did.

They could hit targets accurately from 200+ yards away. They could crack skulls, pierce armor and even take down cavalry.

David wasn't bringing a toy to a sword fight. He was bringing the ancient equivalent of a sniper rifle.

And David wasn't just any slinger either. He'd already killed lions and bears protecting his sheep. By himself. Do you understand what that means? God had been training him. All those years out in the fields, alone, protecting the flock... that was preparation.

By the time Goliath shows up, David isn't an underdog. He's a specialist who's been providentially prepared for exactly this moment.

And then there's this detail we always gloss over:

David picked up five stones.

Why five? He only needed one.

Well... Goliath had four brothers.

David came to that valley prepared to fight all of them if necessary.

That's someone who understands what God has been preparing him for and is ready to see it through.

So what's the actual story here?

It's not "believe in yourself and you can do anything."

It's not even really "have faith and God will magically make you win."

It's this: God fights for His people. And He doesn't drop us into battles unprepared and say "good luck, hope you figure it out."

He trains us. He prepares us. Sometimes for years.

All those things David had been through? The hard seasons? The times David felt alone or overlooked? The skills David developed that seemed random? The character that got forged when no one was watching?

God was training Him.

When Goliath shows up—when the serpent moment comes—David wasn’t going to be an unprepared underdog facing impossible odds.

David was going to be the person God has been preparing for exactly that moment.

And here's what really gets me: David wasn't trying to be Saul. Remember? They offered him armor and a sword. The king's own equipment. And David said no. Because that wasn't who he was. That wasn't what God had trained him to be.

He went with what God had given him. A sling. Five stones. And years of preparation no one else saw.

So is there an application here? Something to understand about our own lives? Honestly… I think yes.

Don't try to be someone else. Don't reach for armor that doesn't fit. Don't fight with weapons you weren't trained to use.

Use what God gave you. Trust the preparation He's been doing in you. Pick up your five stones.

Because you're not the underdog you think you are because of Christ.

Especially after Christ came and finally defeated the serpent and crushed his head.

You have the Holy Spirit inside of you — and oftentimes the hardships we face in life are God disciplining us, and bringing us to where HE needs us to be for the current season we’re in.

This all culminates in something beautiful that David says:

I’ve partnered with Ikonick to create a “Bible Collection” of beautiful Canvas prints.

Take a look, below are some samples!

And I’ve also arranged for a discount to my Newsletter subscribers for 30% off ALL of them. Just use the code “Nils30” in the checkout.

I hope you enjoy them as much as I do.

Also, are there any scenes from the Bible that I should create next?
Reply to the email and let me know!

-Nils